Earl Strickland
- Thread starter Ken_4fun
- Start date
Ken_4fun said:
Last I heard, a week or so ago from an "Earl female friend," Earl is doing just fine. :smile:
Sometimes, especially in these tough economic times, a pool player is forced to pick their pool tournaments wisely.
Most pool players love the Derby City Classic, and it is a great venue for players of all caliber for sure, but let's face it, it is expensive to attend week-long events, especially after the Christmas season.
A little birdie told me that Earl and Johnny are enjoying the pool school and exhibitions that they are doing around the country, and that it is lucrative as well. It seems to be a great fit for both of them.
Mike Sigel, Allen Hopkins, and other world-class champions eventually retired from shooting pool competitively because there just wasn't any money in it. They pursued their pool passion in other ways, Mike Sigel with his cues and Allen Hopkins with promotion of pool events. They both found their niche too!
There is some money to be made in pool, but for pro-caliber players, it ain't in the tournaments, never has been and never will be. Some pro-caliber players have such a deep passion for pool that they devote their life to it, much like Earl Strickland and a few other lifelong players that I know personally. Many of them are ridiculed on pool forums for a variety of reasons, as if they are monkeys with no jobs, dancing and begging for handouts and crumbs. :angry:
Yet, these same dancing monkeys will go to the DCC, and the ridiculers, those who bash them on pool forums ad nauseum, want to befriend the pro players. The ridiculers crowd the pro players' tables, hoping to catch a glimpse of them, and if they can get their autograph and/or exchange a few words, they are happy. Sometimes they can even profit by selling the autograph on eBay and then come back to this forum and bash the pros at every opportunity.
People can love pool all they want, to include those passionate pro-caliber players, but you can't live off of love. Eventually, reality sinks in, like having a roof over your heard, food on the table, and a little security in life.
In my opinion, pool today is a great recreational game for league players, social shooters, bar bangers, and weekend warriors. As far as professsional pool goes in the United States, it's a money burner. A pro player cannot make it, even when he wins first place one out of three times, unless he has a fat stakehorse or an industry sponsor.
Today, it is commonplace for a pro player to get staked in challenge matches and get a whopping 20 percent of the winnings from the stakehorse backer, if the pro player is lucky enough to get backed. And believe me, the pro players always comes out with the short end of the stick when the money is cut up. Some people do get funny with the money when the player scores a win. :yeah:
This is what has happened to American pool in the year 2009. :sad:
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Ken_4fun said:
Maybe bfdlad could convince him to log on and post a reply (C'mon T-Wheels, work your magic). I would like to know the answers to these questions myself. He is member #156 after all.
http://forums.azbilliards.com/member.php?u=156
JAM said:Last I heard, a week or so ago from an "Earl female friend," Earl is doing just fine. :smile:
Sometimes, especially in these tough economic times, a pool player is forced to pick their pool tournaments wisely.
Most pool players love the Derby City Classic, and it is a great venue for players of all caliber for sure, but let's face it, it is expensive to attend week-long events, especially after the Christmas season.
A little birdie told me that Earl and Johnny are enjoying the pool school and exhibitions that they are doing around the country, and that it is lucrative as well. It seems to be a great fit for both of them.
Mike Sigel, Allen Hopkins, and other world-class champions eventually retired from shooting pool competitively because there just wasn't any money in it. They pursued their pool passion in other ways, Mike Sigel with his cues and Allen Hopkins with promotion of pool events. They both found their niche too!
There is some money to be made in pool, but for pro-caliber players, it ain't in the tournaments, never has been and never will be. Some pro-caliber players have such a deep passion for pool that they devote their life to it, much like Earl Strickland and a few other lifelong players that I know personally. Many of them are ridiculed on pool forums for a variety of reasons, as if they are monkeys with no jobs, dancing and begging for handouts and crumbs. :angry:
Yet, these same dancing monkeys will go to the DCC, and the ridiculers, those who bash them on pool forums ad nauseum, want to befriend the pro players. The ridiculers crowd the pro players' tables, hoping to catch a glimpse of them, and if they can get their autograph and/or exchange a few words, they are happy. Sometimes they can even profit by selling the autograph on eBay and then come back to this forum and bash the pros at every opportunity.
People can love pool all they want, to include those passionate pro-caliber players, but you can't live off of love. Eventually, reality sinks in, like having a roof over your heard, food on the table, and a little security in life.
In my opinion, pool today is a great recreational game for league players, social shooters, bar bangers, and weekend warriors. As far as professsional pool goes in the United States, it's a money burner. A pro player cannot make it, even when he wins first place one out of three times, unless he has a fat stakehorse or an industry sponsor.
Today, it is commonplace for a pro player to get staked in challenge matches and get a whopping 20 percent of the winnings from the stakehorse backer, if the pro player is lucky enough to get backed. And believe me, the pro players always comes out with the short end of the stick when the money is cut up. Some people do get funny with the money when the player scores a win. :yeah:
This is what has happened to American pool in the year 2009. :sad:
Nice post Jam. I would love to see Earl in the mainstream more now days. It was nice to see him included in the Mosconi Cup this year despite many peoples opposition to it. I believe he is a class act and I, for one, hope he wins again. Go EARL :thumbup: .
Your evaluation of US Pro Pool sounds pretty accurate. What a shame that the top talent in the sport of pool can't even make a living when a baseball player can become an instant millionare to play right field and average .250 batting. I don't think pool will ever make it in the US because there are NO Corporate sponsors for this sport and there never will be. You just can't get enough people to watch an event like the US Open to make it profitable enough for corporate America and that's the bottom line.JAM said:Last I heard, a week or so ago from an "Earl female friend," Earl is doing just fine. :smile:
Sometimes, especially in these tough economic times, a pool player is forced to pick their pool tournaments wisely.
Most pool players love the Derby City Classic, and it is a great venue for players of all caliber for sure, but let's face it, it is expensive to attend week-long events, especially after the Christmas season.
A little birdie told me that Earl and Johnny are enjoying the pool school and exhibitions that they are doing around the country, and that it is lucrative as well. It seems to be a great fit for both of them.
Mike Sigel, Allen Hopkins, and other world-class champions eventually retired from shooting pool competitively because there just wasn't any money in it. They pursued their pool passion in other ways, Mike Sigel with his cues and Allen Hopkins with promotion of pool events. They both found their niche too!
There is some money to be made in pool, but for pro-caliber players, it ain't in the tournaments, never has been and never will be. Some pro-caliber players have such a deep passion for pool that they devote their life to it, much like Earl Strickland and a few other lifelong players that I know personally. Many of them are ridiculed on pool forums for a variety of reasons, as if they are monkeys with no jobs, dancing and begging for handouts and crumbs. :angry:
Yet, these same dancing monkeys will go to the DCC, and the ridiculers, those who bash them on pool forums ad nauseum, want to befriend the pro players. The ridiculers crowd the pro players' tables, hoping to catch a glimpse of them, and if they can get their autograph and/or exchange a few words, they are happy. Sometimes they can even profit by selling the autograph on eBay and then come back to this forum and bash the pros at every opportunity.
People can love pool all they want, to include those passionate pro-caliber players, but you can't live off of love. Eventually, reality sinks in, like having a roof over your heard, food on the table, and a little security in life.
In my opinion, pool today is a great recreational game for league players, social shooters, bar bangers, and weekend warriors. As far as professsional pool goes in the United States, it's a money burner. A pro player cannot make it, even when he wins first place one out of three times, unless he has a fat stakehorse or an industry sponsor.
Today, it is commonplace for a pro player to get staked in challenge matches and get a whopping 20 percent of the winnings from the stakehorse backer, if the pro player is lucky enough to get backed. And believe me, the pro players always comes out with the short end of the stick when the money is cut up. Some people do get funny with the money when the player scores a win. :yeah:
This is what has happened to American pool in the year 2009. :sad:
James
watchez said:
I heard he shot 69, 70 and made the weekend in Scottsdale, but not sure.
Mark Cantrill gave the answer on another thread. Earl was not at the DCC because he had a touch of flu, and needed the rest, as he was also headed to Japan this coming week.
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
watchez said:
Your post is very true , now this is just me even when i was a little kid barely looking over a pool table , I'd rather would have watched pool on tv than baseball , I'm not the biggest sports fan but I really can't stand watching baseball I'd rather watch Pool , It is a bit out there when a baseball player can make 20 Million a year when they are batting .250 or what ever there average is .SCCues said:
Now I do think in the future that Pool will become bigger , but people need to stand up and make these Corporate Sponsors recognize that people want it . Just my two cents
The Pool biz needs a bail out. It seems every other failing business gets one.
Earl is at hom in NC, and had a slight tough of the flu but nothing serious. He leaves to go to Japan for a month of exhibitions over there on the 4th so he is just resting up. Before that in January he and Archer were in Georgia and Alabama with the Legends and Champions Pool Tour for almost 2 weeks so he has been around and active just not playing in tourneys as much.
Rubyron, I think i have more chance of falling pregnant than I do getting him to post on here. I know there are alot of people on here who would love to chat with him etc but there are also alot who would love the chance to rip him to shreds and hide behind a forum name to do it. I work with/for Earl and to be honest I think I would tell him "Don't do it" He gets enough crap even when he does not deserve it so why put himself in a position to get it without being able to defend himself properly.
Some other good news for Earl is that he has just signed a cue deal. I can't say anything just yet about it but I know it is a really nice stick and a great price.
Anyway I hope that has answered your question. I tell ya I could talk about Earl all day, He is a really nice guy, but has his moments and a genius with a cue.
Earl is at hom in NC, and had a slight tough of the flu but nothing serious. He leaves to go to Japan for a month of exhibitions over there on the 4th so he is just resting up. Before that in January he and Archer were in Georgia and Alabama with the Legends and Champions Pool Tour for almost 2 weeks so he has been around and active just not playing in tourneys as much.
Rubyron, I think i have more chance of falling pregnant than I do getting him to post on here. I know there are alot of people on here who would love to chat with him etc but there are also alot who would love the chance to rip him to shreds and hide behind a forum name to do it. I work with/for Earl and to be honest I think I would tell him "Don't do it" He gets enough crap even when he does not deserve it so why put himself in a position to get it without being able to defend himself properly.
Some other good news for Earl is that he has just signed a cue deal. I can't say anything just yet about it but I know it is a really nice stick and a great price.
Anyway I hope that has answered your question. I tell ya I could talk about Earl all day, He is a really nice guy, but has his moments and a genius with a cue.
Good advice Mark. Earl posting here is just begging for a couple behind the screen jerks to ruin the honor of Earl taking time with us. It's absolutely freaking inevitable for Earl. Sucks big time, but such is a forum - they grow 'em by the acre.
Maybe Earl will play in Jakes tournament today in Greensboro.
Come on out and play Earl!!!!
Maybe Earl will play in Jakes tournament today in Greensboro.
Come on out and play Earl!!!!
bfdlad said:
Thanks for the update...You three are the nuts....I'm still working on Earl's high bridge and man, I'm gettting some speed out of my stroke now! ---too much sometimes.
I've been trying to pull my stroke back a little as, since I've been practicing Earl's bridge, I can't seem to keep the sucker in tow. You tell him I've been practicing that down the rail shot (ob and cb equal distance from side rail, ob to corner and cb coming back three rails to the bottom). I had to laugh when he said he can make that and no one else can and that's why he's the best. I motivated myself about that shot when Earl said that and now I'm getting it to work once in a while. Just give me about 5 years and I'll have it.
In the meantime, though, I've got a new tool in my kit!
Thanks Earl and T-Wheels and Johnny,
Jeff Livingston
JAM said:
There may be a few that play games on the forums, but just like in person there are more good people here than not. I never understood why some people like to fixate on the negative people. Ignore them.
JAM said:
JAM, This is simply not true or accurate. Again there may be a few, but most are true fans.
JAM said:
Things change, things evolve. We MUST change with them and make a go of it. Let's focus on the positives and what we can do to improve things in the sport we love.
1. TAR - Creating opportunities for top players to match up for the $.
2. Greg Sullivan, Diamond Billiards - Creating tournaments like the DCC. Sponsoring many pros with tables and others things. Promoting events.
3. Mark Griffin - Organized the NCS creating opportunities nationwide for players to go to the World 8Ball Championship with everything paid.
4. Mark Cantrill - Traveling the country promoting learning with two great ambassadors of our sport Johnny Archer & Earl Strickland.
5.
6.
7.
I know of many that are working on things to grow the sport and create mainstream opportunities for Pro players and those who aspire to be, right here in the USA.
Let's focus on the positives. It's much better.
Ray
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Bigtruck said:There may be a few that play games on the forums, but just like in person there are more good people here than not. I never understood why some people like to fixate on the negative people. Ignore them.
JAM, This is simply not true or accurate. Again there may be a few, but most are true fans.
Things change, things evolve. We MUST change with them and make a go of it. Let's focus on the positives and what we can do to improve things in the sport we love.
1. TAR - Creating opportunities for top players to match up for the $.
2. Greg Sullivan, Diamond Billiards - Creating tournaments like the DCC. Sponsoring many pros with tables and others things. Promoting events.
3. Mark Griffin - Organized the NCS creating opportunities nationwide for players to go to the World 8Ball Championship with everything paid.
4.
5.
6.
7.
I know of many that are working on things to grow the sport and create mainstream opportunities for Pro players and those who aspire to be, right here in the USA.
Let's focus on the positives. It's much better.
Ray
I appreciate your opinion and words of wisdom for sure! :smile:
When you follow the American tournament trail, as just one example, for several years, attending two, three, and four tournaments every single month, you may understand how my opinion has been formed.
I used to enjoy pool forums, just like you do today, but in recent years, I have noticed an increase in member who have multiple identities. Some of these very members have been banned numerous times, and if they don't get let back into this forum under their original identity, they forum a new one.
Some multiple-identified trolls create an identity for one purpose only, to bash another members, and then when that identity is banned, they return to another identity. Then there are those who take great pleasure to rip apart others for entertainment. In fact, this activity to them is more enjoyable than writing about pool on a pool forum.
The thread is about Earl. I am glad he does not post on this forum. I hope never does.
bfdlad said:
bfdlad,
Thanks for the info on Earl. I'm happy to hear that he's still getting opportunities in the sport he's devoted his life to. He's been my favorite active player for about 25 years now and my all time #2 favorite player, behind only Lassiter. I wish him all the very best.
Thanks for being his pal.
bfdlad said:
Sounds like Earl is doing just fine. Jeanette Lee has figured it out. Now it appears that Earl, Johnny and a few others have figured it out as well. Pool is popular and you can make a living EARNING a nice wage if you get out there and do it. You can't sit at home, waiting for the mega pool tournament added money fairy or free handout fairy to show up at the door. It is not going to happen for today's player. Unless you are born into money, you need to figure out a way to make it for yourself in what you are good at. A month over in Japan is a strong booking. I spoke to Jeanette recently and she told me that her bookings are down due to the economy but she is doing fine as she is smart enough to have contracts behind her. If Earl is able to book in Japan for a month, sounds like he found the place in the world economy that still has the extra cash. Nice work.
VERY well said indeed!
Kudos for a great post!
watchez said:
Kudos for a great post!
In my opinion people like Earl should never have to play another tourney in their life unless they want to. They should be able to make a good living on what they have done already. Look at the sports greats in other sports and what they do now. Appearances, TV work, endorsing things that have nothing to do with the sport they came from.